A Yoga and Meditation Collective

We explore the ancient traditions of yoga and meditation while manifesting our spiritual truths in everyday life. Guided by our Spiritual Teacher, Yogini Mangala Anshumati, we aspire to embody AHIMSA (Artistic Harmlessness in Mind, Speech and Action) in our work with each other and the world.

“Expand your love for all beings, live sincerely, open yourself to the pulse of life and surrender to the Great Divine Within”

~ Mangala Anshumati

The Mission

Our mission is to live consciously, to expand spiritually, to serve others freely, to share the Teachings of Yogini Mangala Anshumati and to have a positive, healing effect on the world by our deep commitment to Ahimsa (non-violence and harmlessness). Through spiritual gatherings, books, websites, and other artistic mediums, we offer many ways to connect with Yogini Mangala Anshumati, her Teachings and the Hridaya Yoga Community.

Hridaya Yoga

Hridaya Yoga means union with the spiritual heart.

“Hridaya Yoga Meditation begins with the attempt to sit in quiet stillness, which paradoxically informs us of the incessant activity of the mind. This journey of meditation moves us from the mind, to the body, to the heart, and then to Consciousness. Through this process, everything which is unknown about oneself gradually becomes known, and finally leads to the experience of Self-Realization and Self-Mastery. The Self that we Realize as our own is, in Reality, the Self of All Life. The power of our realization sends waves of Love through our own being, to our family, to our community, and out into the world.”

~ Mangala Anshumati

From within, the Heart Itself whispers a spiritual invitation to each person, guiding them in their own unique process of unfolding. This culminates in the realization of their True Self and Natural Being.

Yogini Mangala Anshumati encourages everyone to live with Spiritual freedom, to transform relationships with love and to offer their positive gifts to the world.

In both seated meditation and moving meditation (conscious action), Hridaya Yoga calls practitioners to align themselves with the qualities of the Heart as they blossom—Respect, Equality, Love, Compassion, Humility and Selfless Service to all. As one falls into the depth of this Heart meditation, these qualities naturally emerge, transforming the practitioner from within.

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

~ Buddha

“Help you I can, yes…mmm.”

~ Yoda

The Teachings of Hridaya Yoga invite us to abide in the mystical state of Oneness while simultaneously living a practical life in the world. All aspects of life are acknowledged and included as we take care of our physical health, mental health and spiritual well-being in a balanced way. Rather than avoiding the suffering of others merely to seek our own peace, we choose to embrace the world.

Our community respects and honours all positive teachings and religions. Anyone from any faith or background is welcome on this path.

Hridaya Yoga Founder

Yogini Mangala Anshumati

Yogini Mangala Anshumati is a mystic who inspires people to follow the natural way of Enlightenment. Guided by the Heart itself, this essentially methodless path of meditation reveals the connection of body, emotion, mind and Spiritual Consciousness.

Mangala Anshumati intuitively began meditating as a young girl, passionately committing her life to yoga, meditation, self-awareness and service. By the age of 15, she took the vows of a Yogini and began to study with Enlightened Masters. She remained devoted to her practice while raising three children and attaining degrees in Holistic Medicine and Psychology.

In 1986, during a year-long, solitary meditation, she experienced a powerful awakening to the ‘Unity of Life and Consciousness’ which she refers to as the ‘Samadhi of the Heart.’ After this expansive realization, and with the blessings of her spiritual preceptor, she began to offer her distinctive teaching, Hridaya Yoga or Yoga of the Heart.

As an educated woman, a mother, a healer and a westerner, she brings a unique perspective to the role traditionally filled by the eastern, male Guru. Her spontaneous talks address every facet of life—from the practical to the mystical—and explore topics often neglected by many disciplines. Her messages are authentically human, delightfully humorous and unequivocally direct, yet always full of compassion. She encourages everyone to live with Spiritual freedom, to transform relationships with love and to offer their positive gifts to the world.

Her non-profit organization, AHIMSA (Artisitic Harmlessness in Mind Speech and Action), freely promotes non-violence, harmlessness, ecology and peace in individuals, groups and the world by weaving meditation and awareness into the arts.

Mangala Anshumati continues to offer public talks, transformative retreats and in-depth classes for spiritual aspirants. The students of Hridaya Yoga are currently publishing her complete teachings from thousands of written and recorded talks.

Quotes by
Yogini Mangala Anshumati

“When you return to your Spiritual Heart, you simply return to freedom and happiness. You rediscover the joyful feeling of existence, beyond the need to seek. You are content and at peace. You no longer push the world away; confusion and struggle are gone. You are connected to everyone and everything, and enjoy the unfolding mystery of life. Being in the sanctuary of your Heart, you are certain of your destiny, and the ‘Song of Life’ sings within you.”

“Expand your love for all beings,
live sincerely,
open yourself to the pulse of life
and surrender
to the Great Divine Within.”

“Unhappiness is not caused by a particular situation, but simply by your separation from the Spiritual Heart. Forget your Heart for an instant and you will fall into suffering. Not knowing the meaning of this misery, you will look for its cause and cure in everything outside of yourself. This external focus will only exaggerate your pain by taking you further away from yourself and setting you on a path of futile seeking. To return to happiness again, turn your attention within, cease all attempts to solve your unhappiness ‘outside yourself’ and always remember your Spiritual Heart.”

“Seeing the innate spirituality of people enables you to live in harmony with them. When you see people as personalities, you may become annoyed, disappointed or reactive. If you see people beyond their surface personality––as a unique expression of the Spiritual Self––you have a greater view, a greater tolerance and a greater love.”

“When our tendency to blame circumstances, people and other imaginary sources of pain reaches its height, and we are completely frustrated, we are finally forced to turn within. When suffering reaches its extreme, we turn upon our inner psyche to discover that the source of our pain is self-created. At this point, we are ready to learn, to inquire, to explore ourselves sincerely and become capable of self-reflection and self-transcendence. Then we determine our destiny, and create the world we wish to live in from the inside out.”

“Your Life is your Spirituality. Never divide your world in two. The one who sits on the cushion to meditate, pray or contemplate existence, is the same one who kneels to wipe the floor or gently brush a tear from a child’s face. If you make spirit your core, then it is always present, and you choose to live that spirituality in every moment. When you dedicate yourself to this vision, your life becomes unimaginably blissful.”

“Meditation is not a religious practice. It is a natural human ability, where you function from the core of your pure intelligence and awareness. Seated meditation is only a preparation for the practice of conscious living in every moment. The more you practice meditation, the more you are able to rise above the pain and suffering of life. This potential is not limited by any difference in your intelligence, personality or constitution, but simply depends upon your ability to learn to go beyond the mind.”

Spiritual Definitions

Yogini

A Yogini is a female who practices Yoga or has realized unity with the Self. (Yogi is the masculine term.)

An initiate of Yoga, vows to live a spiritual life that consists of constant Dhyana (meditation), Asteya (honesty, non-stealing), Satya (truthfulness), Aparigraha (abstinence from gambling and drugs), Bramacharya (integrity and restraint in intimate relationships), Ahimsa (non-violence, harmlessness) and Ishvarapranidhana (serviceful surrender to God or higher Consciousness).

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The Self

In spiritual philosophies, the lower conditional self or ego is differentiated from the Higher Self. The Spiritual Self has the nature of Satchitananda (Sat: Existence; Chit: Consciousness; and Ananda: Bliss). The limited self is an erroneous identification; the Unlimited Self is our pristine original state.

“Ordinary knowledge is limited, but Self-knowledge is true, indispensable, core knowledge that will affect every level of your being, and every aspect of your life.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Satsanga

Sat–truth
Sangha–community
Literally: Satsanga–good company or association with the Real.

“When we gather together for satsanga, we choose to live consciously from the highest truth with each other. Ultimately, we commit to a life of respect, humility and cooperation, and to love others as we love ourselves.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Samadhi

There are no English words that exactly represent what real meditation is. It begins with concentration (Dharana), moves towards steadily flowing intuitive contemplation (Dhyana), and culminates in the Higher Conscious State (Samadhi) which leads to Super Consciousness.

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Sadhana

Any conscious action or practice that you take with the sincere intention of moving closer to your own Spiritual Heart.

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Pranayama

Prana–vital life energy
Ayama–expansion

“When the breath moves, the mind also moves. When we calm the breath, the mind becomes concentrated. A regular practice of Pranayama lengthens and slows the breath, resulting in an accumulation of vital Prana, which prepares the mind to dive deeply into meditation.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Kirtan

Kirtan is the devotional chanting of ancient Sanskrit Mantras. In this practice, Mantras are sung in a call and response manner: the Kirtan-leader sings a phrase and the Satsanga repeats it. Because singing is an active expression, Kirtan is a simple practice for people who have difficultly concentrating and sitting still in meditation. The joyous singing, deep breathing and powerful vibrations heal and balance the mind, body and emotions.
“Since ancient times, people have gathered around a fire to sing together in celebration of community, and to elevate the human spirit to the Divine. In singing Kirtan, we focus upon the rhythmic sounds and beautiful melodies until we are effortlessly drawn into a deep state of meditation.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Karma Yoga

Karma–action
Yoga–from yuj meaning to unite, join or connect.
Karma Yoga is the spiritual path of union with the Higher Self, brought about by performing selfless actions or service dedicated to God and humanity.
“In Karma Yoga, every action is performed to relinquish self-interest and to honour the One Spirit through service to all. You remember to be conscious in every moment, in the midst of ordinary life and under all circumstances. As you practice serving others freely without expectation, or desire for reward, your exaggerated sense of self-importance is washed away to reveal your innate humility.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Hridaya Yoga

The eternal, living, Spiritual Heart which resides in every being as the centre of Consciousness.
Hridaya Yoga means union with the spiritual heart.

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Guru

Gu–dispeller
Ru–of darkness
Literally: Guru–bringing light to darkness.
A spiritual teacher or preceptor.
A Spiritual Guru is a living example of Self-Realization, who has dedicated his or her life to offering guidance on how to attain Liberation to those who request it.

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Devotee

A disciple–a person who follows a particular discipline.

“A devotee is a spiritual aspirant who feels an affinity towards a certain teacher or philosophy. They freely choose to follow the aspects of the teaching that resonate with their own consciousness. This inspiration lifts the devotee beyond their ordinary awareness to lead a life of greater love, service and joy.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

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Darshan

“When we look at the sun, we see its light and are also affected by its radiance. Beholding the ‘Light’ of Darshana means we are uplifted by the sight or presence of a Liberated Being who inspires us by their living example. Their eyes, touch, voice and smile convey the message of Love. Their image, words and deeds offer a lasting impression of their spiritual transformation.” ~ Mangala Anshumati

Event Details

Event Details

Reclaim your Wonder! A meditative workshop where Science, Imagination & Mysticism merge to expand your mind. Join spiritual astrophotographer Peter Roth on a cosmic tour of the universe from the core of your inner existence to the far reaches of outer space and rediscover how amazing the universe is!

Event Details

Enter a Conscious space of positive, healing vibrations and let music move you to stillness. Kirtan is the joyful singing of

Event Details

Enter a Conscious space of positive, healing vibrations and let music move you to stillness. Kirtan is the joyful singing of ancient Sanskrit Mantras that naturally leads to meditation. Anyone can participate in and enjoy this simple practice of call and response chanting, with no prior musical or meditation experience.